Premier League action returns this weekend with the battle at both ends of the table far from over. At the top half of the table, the quest to figure out the champion of the ongoing campaign still remains in tact with both Manchester City and Liverpool aiming to secure favorable results to help their respective causes. The two English clubs come into the weekend's affair on the back of contrasting fortunes.
The former saw their dream of potentially winning the treble this season coming to a disappointing end after being stunned in the semi-final by Real Madrid despite being minutes away from securing their qualification ticket to Paris. On the contrary, Liverpool registered a big win over dark horses Villarreal to put themselves in the position for a relay of the Champions League final in 2018 against Real Madrid.
In the Premier League, just a single point separats leaders and defending champions Manchester City from the Reds. Over the past three months, the Citizens have been exceptional and, on Sunday, they will take on an in-form Newcastle side as they aim to keep their domestic unbeaten run going. Needless to say, they may be battling to regain the top spot once more as the day before, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur will lock horns in another title and top-four defining game.
On the subject of top-four, the respective fates of Chelsea and Arsenal are far from sealed. The two London clubs will line up against Wolves and Leeds, while hoping that Liverpool adequately puts Spurs to the sword in order to keep their rivals at a distance. Elsewhere, Manchester United will look to finish on a high when they travel to Brighton & Hove Albion for the penultimate game of the season. At the moment, a place in the Europa League for next season is the most ideal take-away for the Red Devils and they will aim to build on last week's thrashing of Brentford to set themselves up well.
To the bottom half of the table, a few more movements could be expected at the end of the upcoming game week. Last week, Everton defied the prediction of the bookies to stun Chelsea and give themselves a lifeline in order to remain the premiership. With five games in hand, the Toffees could well leave the relegation zone should they defeat Leicester at the King Power Stadium on Sunday and should Leeds and Burnley fall against Arsenal and Aston Villa respectively. Watford and Norwich have already been relegated but will line up against Crystal Palace and West Ham respectively.
Premier League table ahead of matchday 36
| Pos. | Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | P | Form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal | 33 | 23 | 5 | 5 | 77 | 26 | +51 | 74 | WLWWD | |
| 2 | Liverpool | 33 | 22 | 8 | 3 | 75 | 32 | +43 | 74 | WLDWW | |
| 3 | Manchester City | 32 | 22 | 7 | 3 | 76 | 32 | +44 | 73 | WWWDD | |
| 4 | Aston Villa | 34 | 20 | 6 | 8 | 71 | 50 | +21 | 66 | WWDLW | |
| 5 | Tottenham Hotspur | 32 | 18 | 6 | 8 | 65 | 49 | +16 | 60 | LWDWL | |
| 6 | Newcastle United | 32 | 15 | 5 | 12 | 69 | 52 | +17 | 50 | WWDWL | |
| 7 | Manchester United | 32 | 15 | 5 | 12 | 47 | 48 | -1 | 50 | DDLDW | |
| 8 | West Ham United | 34 | 13 | 9 | 12 | 54 | 63 | -9 | 48 | LLWDL | |
| 9 | Chelsea | 31 | 13 | 8 | 10 | 61 | 52 | +9 | 47 | WDWDW | |
| 10 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 32 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 52 | 50 | +2 | 44 | DLDLW | |
| 11 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 33 | 12 | 7 | 14 | 46 | 53 | -7 | 43 | LDLDL | |
| 12 | Fulham | 34 | 12 | 6 | 16 | 50 | 54 | -4 | 42 | LWLLD | |
| 13 | AFC Bournemouth | 33 | 11 | 9 | 13 | 48 | 60 | -12 | 42 | LDLWW | |
| 14 | Crystal Palace | 33 | 9 | 9 | 15 | 42 | 56 | -14 | 36 | WWLLD | |
| 15 | Brentford | 34 | 9 | 8 | 17 | 52 | 59 | -7 | 35 | WWDDD | |
| 16 | Everton | 33 | 10 | 8 | 15 | 34 | 48 | -14 | 30 | WLWDL | |
| 17 | Nottingham Forest | 34 | 7 | 9 | 18 | 42 | 60 | -18 | 26 | LDLWD | |
| 18 | Luton Town | 34 | 6 | 7 | 21 | 47 | 75 | -28 | 25 | LLWLL | |
| 19 | Burnley | 34 | 5 | 8 | 21 | 37 | 69 | -32 | 23 | WDLDD | |
| 20 | Sheffield United | 33 | 3 | 7 | 23 | 31 | 88 | -57 | 16 | LLDLD |
Top games to watch in the Premier League this weekend
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Chelsea vs Wolves
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Brighton & Hove Albion vs Manchester United
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Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur
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Leicester vs Everton
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Man City vs Newcastle United
Premier League - Who's in and who's out of Matchweek 36?
Arsenal: Ben White (hamstring), Thomas Partey (muscle injury), Kieran Tierney (knee injury)
Chelsea: Jorginho (knock), Ngolo Kante (knock), Callum Hudson-Odoi (back injury), Benjamin Chilwell (ACL injury)
Liverpool: Roberto Firmino (foot injury)
Man City: Kyle Walker (ankle injury), John Stones (muscle injury)
Manchester United: Marcus Rashford (illness), Jadon Sancho (illness), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (knock), Paul Pogba (calf injury), Luke Shaw (shin injury)
Tottenham Hotspur: Sergio Reguilon (groin injury), Matt Doherty (knee injury), Oliver Skipp (groin injury), Japhet Tanganga (knee injury).
Premier League - Matchweek 36 broadcast info
